Yield of upland cotton was related to heat stress in Yuma, LaPaz, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties for the period 1987-1999. Heat stress during the primary fruiting cycle was assessed using heat stress units (HSU) which were derived from mean daily canopy temperatures computed using a canopy temperature model and local AZMET weather data. Mean lint yields were computed for years with low, intermediate and high levels of HSU. Yields in years with low levels of heat stress were always significantly greater than yields in years with high levels of heat stress. Differences in yield between high and low heat stress years ranged from 100 lb/a in Maricopa County to 254 lb/a in Yuma County and averaged 166 lb/a across all counties. Differences in yield between the low and intermediate stress years, and intermediate and high stress years averaged 86 and 80 lb/a, respectively across all counties; however, these differences were not always significant in individual counties.

Twenty five long staple varieties were tested in a replicated small plot trial on the Safford Agricultural Center in Graham county at an elevation of 2950 feet. The highest yielding variety in this study was Hazera 83-208 with a yield of 1180 pounds of lint p1er acre. This interspecific hybrid from Israel was the highest yielding cultivar in the 1999 test, also. The top five varieties consisted of two interspecific hybrids from Isreal, a variety developed by the University of Arizona and entries from Buttonwillow Research and California Planting Cotton Seed Distributors (CPCSD). The average yield in the trial was the same as last year, but the highest yield was slightly lower. Yield and other agronomic data as well as fiber quality data are contained in this paper.

Two field experiments were conducted during the 2000 growing season to address fertility recommendations for fertilizer phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). A K fertility study was conducted near Tonopah, AZ consisting of two treatments, an untreated control and a treatment receiving a total of 20 gallons of K-Sul/acre. No significant differences were observed in leaf blade K concentrations between treatments. Plant growth and development estimates revealed that fruit retention (FR) levels remained consistently higher in the untreated control versus the treated plots. A second study involved treatments consisting of both P and K fertilizers was conducted near Cibola, AZ. Four treatments in this experiment included an untreated control plus treatments of 11-52-0, 0-0-60, and 4-17-40 at 100, 200, and 300 lbs. fertilizer/acre respectively. Plant growth and development estimates were similar among treatments during the season. At the end of the season the untreated control had a slightly higher FR level than the other treatments, which also produced a significantly higher yield. No other differences in yield among the fertilized treatments were observed.

Problems associated with increasing trends towards high micronaire values for Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) have been a matter of concern for the Arizona cotton industry in recent years. The discounts on fiber value associated with high micronaire has been compounded by the fact that market prices for cotton fiber has been very low in recent years and yields have been stable at best. An evaluation of recent yield and fiber quality data from a number of locations in Arizona was evaluated in relation to trends within Arizona and across the U.S. cotton belt. Results indicate similar patterns exist in terms of stable yields (yield plateau) and increasing micronaire values between Arizona and other U.S. cotton producing states. The conclusion is presented that these patterns are at least due in part to a common genetic base for varieties that grown in Arizona and beltwide. There also appears to be some distinct relationships associated with high micronaire with region and individual farm management practices.

Two field experiments were conducted in Arizona in 2000 at two locations (Maricopa and Marana). The Maricopa experiment has been conducted for nine consecutive seasons; the Marana site was initiated in 1994. The purposes of the experiments were to validate and refine nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations for Upland cotton. The experiments each utilized N management tools such as pre-season soil tests for NO₃⁻-N, in-season plant tissue testing (petioles) for N fertility status, and crop monitoring to ascertain crop fruiting patterns and crop N needs. At each location, treatments varied from a conservative to a more aggressive approach of N management. Results at each location revealed a strong relationship between the crop fruit retention levels and N needs for the crop. This pattern was further reflected in final yield analysis as a response to the N fertilization regimes used. The higher, more aggressive, N application regimes did not benefit yields at any location. In 2000, fruit retention levels were good and crop vigor was not excessive. The more conservative, feedback approach to N management provided optimum yields at both locations.

A series of nitrogen management experiments have been conducted over the past 11 years around the state to develop and refine fertilizer nitrogen (N) recommendations for irrigated desert cotton production. Stability analysis was used to summarize the data and to determine which of the four treatment regimes is most stable over a range of environments. Results indicate that the feedback treatment (treatment 3) was the most stable treatment for both Upland and Pima cottons and provided the best probability for a higher yield under high yielding environments. The untreated control treatment (treatment 1) was the least stable over a wide range of environments. These results further validate the ‘feedback’ approach to management of fertilizer N.

Proper timing of fertilizer N applications in relation to crop uptake can serve to improve fertilizer efficiency in irrigated cotton. Earlier research has identified an optimum application window extending from the formation of first pinhead squares to peak bloom, which corresponds well with maximum crop uptake and utilization. Field experiments were conducted at the University of Arizona Marana Agricultural Center (Grabe clay loam soil) utilizing sidedress applications of ammonium sulfate with 5-atom % 15-N at pinhead square, early bloom, and peak bloom at a rate of 56 kg N/ha. The objective was to compare relative efficiencies in terms of fertilizer N uptake and recovery among these three times of application. Results indicate that all treatments averaged approximately 80% total fertilizer N recovery. Of the fertilizer N that was recovered, approximately 40 % was taken up by the plants and 60 % recovered in the soil, primarily in the top 60 cm of the soil profile.

A laboratory study was initiated to investigate the potential loss of fertilizer nitrogen (N) through volatilization at four different temperatures (25, 30, 35, and 40°C) out of irrigation waters collected from a number of Arizona locations. Complete water analysis was conducted on each of the water samples. A 300 ml volume of each water was placed in 450 ml beakers open to the atmosphere in a constant temperature water bath with 10 mg of analytical grade (NH₄)₂SO₄ added to each sample. Small aliquots were drawn at specific time intervals over a 24 hour period and then analyzed for NH₄⁺-N concentrations. Results showed potential losses from volatilization to be highly temperature dependent. Total losses (after 24 hours) ranged from 30-48% at 25°C to over 90% at 40°C. In this study where (NH₄)₂SO₄ was used as the N source, the initial concentration of SO₄⁻-S in the solution had a repressive effect on volatilization due to the decreased availability of free NH₄⁺ in waters with high initial SO₄⁻-S concentrations due to the formation of complex ion pairs (NH₄SO₄⁻). It was also observed that at lower temperatures complexation and ion pair formation affected volatilization of NH₃ by reducing the NH₄⁺ activity in solution and thereby reducing NH₃ volatilization. Potential volatilization loss of fertilizer N from these irrigation waters was found to be significant and should be considered when making decisions regarding fertilizer N applications for crop production in Arizona.

Ironite and phosphorus were applied as a combined treatment and also individually to plots planted to long and short staple cotton to find their effect on crop development and lint yield. A statistically significant increase in lint yield was seen with 14 pounds of Ironite and 200 pounds of 16-20-0 per acre compared with the untreated check in the short staple plots. An increase in long staple yield was observed as the Ironite treatment increased from 7 to 28 pounds per acre when coupled with 200 pounds of 16-20-0. Few differences were seen between treatments in any of the plant mapping variables measured or with HVI values. More research and an economic analyses are needed to determine if this would be a recommended procedure in the Safford valley.

A two site evaluation of a calcium (Ca²⁺)-based soil conditioner was conducted during the 1999 cotton season. The two locations included one at the Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) in Maricopa, AZ and the other was on a grower-cooperator field in Tacna, AZ. Both studies involved the use of CN-9, a Ca-nitrate solution with 9% nitrogen and 11% Ca. At MAC theCN-9 solution was sprayed over the seedbed post planting but prior to the first water-up irrigation. At the Tacna site CN-9 was applied in a sidedress application at planting. Routine plant measurements were taken throughout the duration of both studies and lint yield estimates were made at each location at the end of the season. No significant differences due to the application of CN-9 were detected in any data collected.